John haedman



(No Model.)

J; HARDMAN.

MUSIC REST FOR PIANOS.

No. 339,169. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

INVENTOR W/TNE 858 N. PETERS. min-Lithograph. Wahinflon. QC-

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN IIARDMAN, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO IIARDMAN, PEOK & 00., OF SAME PLACE.

MUS|C-REST FOR PIANOS.

.EBPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,189, dated April 6, 1886.

Application filed April 22, 1885. Serial No. 163,075. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, John IIARDMAN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing'at No. 215 \Vcst Fifty-Fourth street. in the city of New York, in the State of New York, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Music-Rests for Piano-Fortes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a novel method of constructing and actuating music-rests for upright piano-fortes and for other like uses, such rests constituting a portion of the action-case of the instrument instead of being a separate r5 attachment thereto, as is usual.

My improvement consists in employing the central portion of the front or panel of the instrument-case for a music-stand by cutting out such part and suspending it by hinges,

forming a panel or port to swing outwardly therefrom and form an inclined plane that will support and hold the music rested thereon, combined with other features of novelty and use, as more particularly described herein,

to form a complete music-rest.

Figure I represents a partly cut-away front side of an upright piano-forte action-case, A, the central portion or panel, B, being removed from its normal position and secured 0 to its frame proper, O, by hinges at the top, and upon which it is made to swing outward. Fig. II shows a sectional edge view of the same. Fig. III represents the inside view of the same parts as closed. Fig. IV shows a 3 5 sectional edge view of the same.

d d show curved cleats on each upper side of the swinging rest B, to which they are securely made fast at their lower ends. The cleats curve outward at the bottom and in- 0 ward at the top, where they terminate, as shown, in a wedge-like form, to receive the hinges securing them to the back part of the frame 0, as shown. The upper edge of swingrest B is grooved out on its inner side, so as 5 to form a sharp narrow edge at the top, to bear against the front of the same rail and oscillate freely thereon as a center of motion.

6 shows a rest-plate, preferably of hard wood, and serrated or otherwise on its upper side.

i i show two wooden lugs secured to the inside of the lower rail, 0. The upper ends of those lugs project above the rail, where they are perforated to receive the short leg of L- shaped arms or rods ce, the short leg of which passes through the lug, and the long leg of each takes into the rest-plate 0, near its other end, as shown, and which, with the rods, os-

cillates upon the lugs as a center of motion therefor.

In Fig. II the arms or rods 6 are shown resting across the top of the lower rail, 0, as

a fulcrum-support for the rest 6 and its load of music. The same parts are shown as closed in Figs. III, IV. The lower edgeof the swingrest B is rabbeted, forming a lip to take over the lower rail, 0, when closed, and also upon the rest-plate 6 when open for use.

it shows a curved spring-plate made fast at its lower end to the frame 0. This spring is curved outward from the frame and then inward, as shown, against the rest-plate 6, so as to bear it, when closed, strongly against the friction-surfaces k k, of leather or other proper material, to force the rest B outward for use. 5

9 shows a spring-catch, made fast in the top ofa block, f, secured to the inside of the frame 0. The spring-catch extends through the front paneling, where it terminates in a thumbpiece, 9.

The action of the apparatus will be as fol lows: The rest being closed in position shown in Figs. III, IV, with the left hand press down the catch g to release the fastening. At the same time place the right hand against the panel to case it outward from action of the spring h. The rest 0 will fall outward. Adjust the two rests properly, as needed, and set the music thereon. In closing theparts raise the rest B outward until, by the left hand, the 0 rest 6 will pass under it. Then press B close until caught by the catch g, as before.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a music-rest for an upright piano- 9 5 forte, the following elements, in combination with the action-case of the instrument: the cutaway panel C, the hinged cam-rest B, cut away on its top edge by the depression, as shown and described, so as to form a sharp frictionless bearing against the upper rail, 0, and hinged and oscillated upon the back side of the rail by the curved cleats d, as described, the lugs 'i z, the arms 6, and rest-plate 6, with the rail 0, when constructed and actuated in the manner substantially as described.

2. In an upright piano-forte action-case, a music-rest having the following elements, in combination: a cut-away portion of the front paneling of the instrument, combined with a vibrating cover hinged at the top by the curved cleats d, made fast at their lower end tothe back of the swinging cover-rest B, and secured to and oscillating upon hinges at the top end of the cleats and back of the rail, as described, the cover B, grooved at the top to form the narrow bearing-line of oscillation, as-

described, and the rest-plate 6, when constructed and actuated in the manner substantially as set forth.

3. In a music-rest for an upright pianoforte, the combination of the cut-away front or panel of the action-case, the hinged cover or oscillating rest B, the rest-plate e with its attachments, and the spring h, secured to the frame-work below the cover-rest B, and which, by its action at the bottom of the cover, forces the parts outward,when arranged, constructed, and actuated as described.

4. A music-rest for an upright piano-forte, when composed of the following elements, in combination: the front casing of the instrumentv having a portion cut away, an oscillating door or cover, B, to fit and close the same and to swing outward therefrom and from the music-rest proper, such rest having an oscillating rest or ledge, e, at the lower edge, arranged and actuated as described, the cover B being suspended by curved brackets hinged at the top and'secured against the back or inside of the rest B at their lower end, and cut away at the top, as described, for the hinges made fast to the inside of the panel-frame, as set forth, the ledge e, spring h, and lugs t, when arranged and actuated as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 9th day of April, 1885. 1

JOHN HARDMAN.

\Vitnesses:

N. B. ULLMAN, S. LA GRASSA. 

